Inti Raymi -- Otavalo, Cotacachi, Antonio Ante and Ibarra (June 22)

The "party of the sun and harvest" is one of the most purely ancestral, non-European events in Ecuador. When the June 22nd summer solstice arrives, the locals seek out select rivers, springs and cascades in pursuit of a physical and spiritual cleansing, which functions as a regenerative reunion with the forces of Mother Nature, and serving the expectations of fertile harvests. Special, grain-based foods are prepared, and a ritual dance, which centers around the figure of the Aya Uma, a two-faced, twelve-horned mountain god, is performed.

Easter Week -- Quito/Nacional

Easter Week is a significant celebration in all Latin American countries, and Ecuador is no exception, especially in the capital city. A series of ceremonies and rituals that begin on Palm Sunday culminate with the March of the Penitents on Good Friday, which starts at noon from the Church of San Francisco in Quito, in memory of the hour that Pontius Pilate sentenced Jesus to be crucified. Ominously hooded figures known as "cucuruchos" and "Veronicas" proceed through the historic downtown, and are accompanied by shirtless men bearing heavy crosses, each one representing Jesus. The procession continues until 3:00, the purported hour of Jesus' death.

Virgen del Cisne -- Loja (August 15 to September 8)

In 1594, a drought hit the area known as Cisne in the south of Ecuador. The Spanish authorities relocated the villagers, who took with them their own statue of the Virgin. In their new location, they were hit with a hurricane, so they returned to Cisne. Soon after, a rainstorm ended the drought and was regarded as a miracle on behalf of the Virgin. The occasion is now marked with a solemn ceremony in which the villagers take the statue of the Virgin on two-week trek to Loja. She is returned to Cisne in November.

Paseo de Chagra -- Machachi (July 23)

Ecuador's own rodeo is an adrenaline charged experience that allows tourists with horsemanship skills to participate in a roundup and herding of "Ganado Bravo," or "fighting cattle," from the 4000 meter high plateaus of Cotopaxi National Park down to the haciendas and ranches in the valleys below. Challenges include locating the bulls, and wearing down their resistance to be herded. Be prepared to bring along camping gear, especially for the very cold nights.

Fiesta del maíz -- Sangolqui (August 29 -- September 12)

The “festival of corn” is a two-week harvest celebratio. The event features a parade featuring beauty queens and volcano-themed floats, as well as "Chagras," which are Andean cowboys. There is also an abundance of musical acts, ranging from folkloric singers to municipal marching band. Tourists can take in everything from painting and ceramic competitions sponsored by Sangolqui's College of Architects to fireworks, bullfights, and cockfighting. There is no shortage of grain-rich food and drink to sample at this festival.

Corpus Christi -- Pujili (Second week of June)

This religious holiday, which literally means "body of Christ," but incorporates many aspects indigenous mythology, is celebrated throughout Ecuador. It is most colorfully celebrated in Pujili, with exotic, richly symbolic costumes, and the "Danzantes del Sol," or the sun dancers, whose choreography serves a ceremonial function of expressing gratitude towards the Sun and the Moon for arrival of another good harvest. Music, food, and drink are ubiquitous, and the festivities are complimented by the scenery, for the region offers many beautiful gardens.

Back to "Ecuador Cultural and Folklore Travel, part 1"

IntyRaymi in Cayambe, Pichincha

Here are ten of the most notable cultural events in Ecuador:

Fiesta de Yamor - Otavalo (first week of September)

The Fiesta de Yamor is a harvest festival, and is a combination of Catholic and native, pre-colonial religious elements. Its main purpose is to celebrate the fertility of the local corn crops during the year's second solstice. A tradition extending back to pre-Colombian days involves the preparation of a special liquor, Chicha, which is made from seven varieties of corn. There are tributes to the indigenous Earth mother, "Allpa Mama," as well as the Virgin of Otavalo, "Niña Maria." Special events include parades, folk dancing, bullfights (where the bull is not actually killed), cockfights, and the election of the "Yamor Queen."

San Pedro y San Pablo - Otavalo, Cayambe, and Cotacachi (June 24th)

This is another religious themed holiday, popular especially in rural areas of the country, that combines Roman Catholicism with pre-Colombian tributes to ancient fertility rituals, both human and agricultural. Here, woman eager to become mothers leap over bonfires for good luck, while at the same time, the locals burn old clothing so bad luck itself can go up in smoke, while yet another incendiary tradition, the "burning of beard of Saint Peter" involves old tires, paper, and eucalyptus branches. Villagers gather to joke and gossip before retiring to bed. On the last day, explosives and ringing bells herald the arrival of a local marching band. The plazas fill and people pray for the success of their bean and corn crops.

Mama Negra - Latacunga

Taking place during the second Saturday of November, this is one of Ecuador's most popular and colorful holidays, an emblematic integration of Spanish, Incan, Aymaran, Mayan, and African, and in the last few years, gay culture. It is one of the most fascinating cultural events in Ecuador and it is a public celebration of civic pride, It rivals Brazil’s festivals as an emblematic “melting pot” of wildly divergent cultural traditions. Such icons as the Angel of the Stars, the Moorish King, Los Huacos all play a role in this celebration. It all culminates with the arrival of the Mama Negra, the Black Mother on horseback. Candy and wine containers are also tossed to the crowds, and restaurateurs all feature Latacunga’s most famous contribution to Ecuadorian cuisine: Chugchucaras, which is deep fried pork, pork rinds, popcorn, potatoes, maize, and plantain.

Dia de los Santos y los Almas -- Nacional

The United States and Canada have Halloween, Latin America has All Saints Day, followed by the Day of the Dead on the first and second day of November. The traditional belief is that the souls of the dearly departed revisit their kin this time of year, so family members go off and greet their deceased at local cemeteries with an appropriate holiday offering because it is supposedly needed to further the soul on its way in the afterlife. In Ecuador the holiday is interpreted as a day to “catch up” with the ones that are no longer in this world but have a life in a different world. The staple food of the season is the famous colada morada which is a thick purple drink and the guaguas de pan which are a sweet kind of bread in the shape of dolls.

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